“I am a team player but I also have striong opinions.” Benalla Council’s newest councillor Ellen Crocker. Picture: BEN EYLES
ELLEN Crocker was on her Meals On Wheels rounds when she found out she had become Benalla’s new councillor.
After councillor and former mayor Peter Dunn decided to retire, the Victorian Electoral Commission ran a countback of votes from the October election.
Mrs Crocker won the countback easily, with a 683-vote lead over her nearest competitor.
She said it was nice to have a result so quickly.
“I’ve got a busy week ahead of me.
“There’s plenty of reading for me to do to get myself up to speed on where the council is at with all their projects.”
Mrs Crocker was a councillor for Violet Town in 1986 before the town became a part of the Strathbogie Shire.
“Ellen is an active asset to the Benalla community,” Mr Dunn said.
“I’m quite happy to pass my role to her, and I wish her all the best.”
Mrs Crocker said she hoped her prior council experience would help her play a key role on the council.
“Initially I’ll sit back, I’ll listen and I’ll learn how this council functions,” she said.
“I’m a team player but I also have strong opinions and given time I’ll be looking to have my voice heard.”
Mr Dunn made the decision to leave the council last month, citing “other opportunities which would be inconsistent with my role with council”.
He will close his legal firm at the end of the month, with his future plans as yet unknown.
“After seven years I think I’ve been able to make a good contribution to the council,” Mr Dunn said.
“I can’t claim credit for anything that we’ve done because everything has been a real team effort, and that’s what I’m proud of.”
The returning officer from the Electoral Commission announced the official result of the countback yesterday at at 1.30pm.